Louis Jadot Burgundy Barrel Sample Tasting

On Saturday we had the opportunity to taste six Burgundy barrel samples from Louis Jadot thanks to the distributor, Kobrand, and The Wine House. I'm not going to do regular tasting notes because that wouldn't be fair to the wines - my experience won't let me tell you how they are actually going to taste after they've been finished! We tried three whites. The first was Savigny-les-Beaune Clos des Guettes, Domaine Andre Gagey, I noticed the tartness, lots of acidity, apricot and citrus, and this one will be about $43. The second was Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Garenne, Domain du Duc de Magenta and will be about $94. The third was Corton Charlemagne Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot. This wine was more finished as it had been in oak for a short period before it went into the sample bottle. It was already fuller bodied than the others (of course, it's a Grand Cru, compared to the first two which are Premier Cru). It will be about $170 on release.

The next three were reds. The first was a Beaujolias, Chateau des Jacques Grand Carquelin Moulint-a-Vent. It was bright, fruity, cherry, acidic, and I wasn't at all interested though it was nice and different. It will be about $48. The second red was a Pinot Noir, a Premier Cru Beauce, Boucherottes Domain des Heritiers Louis Jadot. Soft, easy, round. This will be about $46. The last sample was a Cote de Nuit Grand Cru, Clos de la Roche, which had the traditional Pinot Noir earth, loamy, but still with red fruit. It has a good mouth weight already. It will be about $162.

This was a terrific opportunity, most consumers don't get the opportunity to taste barrel samples in the U.S., and my thanks to the Wine House and the distributor rep. He knew the wines inside out, had lots of information about Louis Jadot, all of Burgundy, their competitors, the issues with each recent vintage, and the things to look for to get great values and the best drinking wines from Jadot. He recommended across the range, and was one of the best distributor reps, both from his knowledge, and his willingess and ability to share that knowledge.